Tribunal EHCCO

Overview

This role is a 11 Month Contract with a local authority.

The position involves coordinating the statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process and leading on SEND Tribunal case management, ensuring the authority meets its duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.

You will act as the Local Authority representative for SEND Tribunal appeals, managing complex and high-volume casework, preparing evidence, advising stakeholders, and representing the authority at hearings.

Responsibilities

SEND Tribunal Management

• Lead the preparation and management of SEND Tribunal cases.
• Represent the Local Authority at SEND Tribunal hearings.
• Review appeal documentation, case papers, and supporting evidence.
• Develop tribunal strategies and case responses.
• Prepare and coordinate witness evidence for hearings.
• Liaise with legal representatives, schools, SEN teams, and partner agencies.
• Respond to Tribunal directions, orders, and deadlines.
• Support dispute resolution and mediation where appropriate.
• Share learning from Tribunal outcomes to support service improvement.

EHCP Case Management

• Coordinate the statutory EHCP process for children and young people aged 0–25.
• Manage a large and complex caseload.
• Ensure compliance with statutory timescales and legal requirements.
• Complete and coordinate:
  • EHC Needs Assessments
  • EHCP Drafting
  • EHCP Amendments
  • Annual Reviews
• Ensure EHCPs are lawful, compliant, and outcome-focused.
• Maintain high-quality case records and documentation.
• Escalate complex, high-risk, or contentious cases appropriately.

Statutory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with:
  • Children and Families Act 2014
  • SEND Code of Practice
  • SEND Tribunal Procedures
  • Data Protection Requirements
• Monitor statutory deadlines including:
  • 20-Week EHC Assessment Timescales
  • Annual Review Timescales
  • Tribunal Orders and Directions
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on Council systems.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary point of contact for allocated cases.
• Build effective relationships with:
  • Parents and Carers
  • Children and Young People
  • Schools and Colleges
  • SENCOs
  • Health Professionals
  • Social Care Services
  • Legal Representatives
• Manage difficult and complex communications professionally and sensitively.
• Provide advice regarding Tribunal procedures and evidential requirements.

Professional Practice

• Exercise sound professional judgement and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Support service improvements through learning from case outcomes.
• Work within local authority policies, governance, and escalation processes.
• Attend supervision, case oversight sessions, and team meetings.
• Manage workload effectively using tracking and case management systems.
• Promote child-centred and solution-focused practice.

Requirements

Essential

• Significant experience working as an EHCP Coordinator, SEND Case Officer, or Tribunal Officer within a Local Authority.
• Extensive experience representing Local Authorities at SEND Tribunal hearings.
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • SEND Legislation
  • Children and Families Act 2014
  • SEND Code of Practice
  • SEND Tribunal Procedures
  • EHCP Processes
• Experience managing high-volume caseloads (250+ cases).
• Experience completing 20-week EHC assessments.
• Experience managing Annual Reviews.
• Experience preparing Tribunal evidence and documentation.
• Experience working with legal representatives and multi-agency professionals.
• Excellent report writing and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and negotiation abilities.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and legally focused environment.
• Experience managing complex, contentious, and high-risk cases.
• Strong organisational and workload management skills.

Desirable

• Experience within Hampshire County Council or a similar Local Authority SEND service.
• Experience supporting mediation and dispute resolution processes.
• Knowledge of local authority funding and placement processes.
• Experience mentoring or supporting less experienced SEND practitioners.

Location

Winchester (Fully Remote)

Working Hours

• 37 hours per week

Compensation & Benefits

• Payment frequency: Bi-Weekly Payments